Join friends of Almost Home Kids for the annual Golf Marathon and Youth Golf Challenge at Zigfield Troy on Friday, September 15, 2017!

Golf Marathon Participants (age 21 and over) will commit to raising $1000 and will play 100 holes starting at 11:00 AM, followed by a barbecue feast at the completion of 100 holes.

Youth Golf Challenge participants (age 9 to 20) will commit to raising $600 per foursome from friends and family. Youth challengers will start at 3:30 PM for a best ball 18 hole challenge, followed by a pizza party.

At Almost Home Kids we are passionate advocates for using People-First Language. Wikipedia describes People First Language as – a type of linguistic prescription in English. It aims to avoid perceived and subconscious dehumanization when discussing people with disabilities and is sometimes referred to as a type of disability etiquette.

It’s an important distinction and something that can be adopted in language when describing any group defined by a condition. We would say a child with medical complexities rather than a medically complex child – the former emphasizing the person and not their condition, which is secondary to their identity.

About 54 million Americans — one out of every five individuals — have a disability — 3 million of those are children, and as medical care and systems advance, this population will continue to burgeon (the pediatric population is increasing by 6% per year) and the ability to live a full and active life in the community has become the new, and welcome reality for people with disabilities. It is important to recognize we are all people first.

We had an amazing time at our first ever Summer Tasting Soiree – a Top Chef style AHK fundraiser event at Kendall College. 5 student chef’s took their inspration from 5 AHK families and created unique dishes to wow the attendees. Top Chef competitor Carlos Gaytan was on hand to present the winner – Pankhuri Juvekar – with a $1,000 scholarship prize donated by Marita Sullivan.

We would like to thank the wonderfully talented and creative Witteveen (Jeremy & Tina) for putting together the most amazing video for us. Special thanks to the children, parents, volunteers and AHK staff who kindly starred in the production. Please view and share!

Our 2017 Annual Meeting presented us with a great opportunity to bring our most ardent supporters up to date on all the exciting developments at Almost Home Kids.

Held at our Naperville home, and in the company of the kids and staff, everyone who serves on the AHK Board and Presidents Council were reminded of why we are all here and were reinvigorated to further the vision and above all stay true to the mission of Almost Home Kids.

If you’re interested in getting more involved with Almost Home Kids and would like to serve on one of our committee’s, please contact Raeann Jackson at rjackson@almosthomekids.org.

Almost Home Kids would like to acknowledge the dedicated individuals who serve on our board in Naperville and in Chicago. Their work and involvement makes an immeasurable difference in the lives of the children we serve, and their families.

Please join Top Chef competitor Carlos Gaytan at our first ever Almost Home Kids Summer Tasting Soirée – A Top Student Chef Culinary Competition and gourmet event at Kendall College benefiting the programs and children at Almost Home Kids. Senior Students will create hors d’oeuvres inspired by the cultural backgrounds of AHK families, while attendees will have the chance to select the winner of the AHK Top Student Chef Scholarship.

THURSDAY, JUNE 15
6:00 PM – 8:30 PMKENDALL COLLEGE – 900 N. Branch Street, Chicago
Complimentary Parking will be available in the parking lot north of Kendall College

We currently have clinical employment opportunities at AHK available, and recently hosted an Open House that was sponsored and organized by our friends at Titus Talent Strategies.

The Open House was a great way for people to get a better understanding of our programs, and learn about the various employment opportunities we currently have available – RN’s, Resource Nurses and CNA openings at both locations.

If you are interested in learning more or would like to apply, please email April Alexander, AHK Director of Nursing.

Thank you to everyone who supported our Naperville gala and wore western gear and fabulous jewelry at our Boots n’ Bling; a Western Fling event on Friday April 28th. Over $150,000 was raised at the event, plus with many new attendees in the room we were able to reach lots of new friends and tell the all about Almost Home Kids.

Michelle and Jon Freeman gave a very heartwarming parent testimonial about their son Peter, who came to us for transitional Care that truly touched everyone in the room.

Thank you to Patti Vasquez (from WGN radio’s Pretty Late) who was our awesome host for the evening, and Marion Valle for raising the gavel as our auctioneer.

We broke some impressive fundraising goals by doubling the usual amount raised at the Fund a Need and the auction, plus the attendees had a very fun time dancing to the live music of modern country band Lincoln Don’t Lie, who rocked the night away. The night kicked off with some great fiddling from the violin group from String Serenade.

We recognized two very special awardees, Carolyn Johnson (Volunteer Extraordinaire) and Mullarkey Associates (Share the Care Champions) – great ambassadors of AHK, and amazing supporters is so many different ways.